Combined mop, squeezer and reservoir



May 13, 1958 M. E. SHANNON I COMBINED MOE, SQUEEZER A ND RESERVOIR Filed April 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Mary E. Shannon INVENTOR M. E. SHANNON May 13, 1958 COMBINED MOP, SQUEEZER AND RESERVOIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1955 Fig.2

Fig.3

m W n E w w W M n m M S 6 E U m 4 B 82 0 5 2 w 0 5 6 a I A 6 .|M w |/5/. w f I... a I, WW r W. 0 2 M 4 2,834,036 COMBINED MOP, SQUEEZER AND RESERVOIR Mary E. Shannon, Akron, Ohio Application April 22, 1955, Serial No. 503,212 Claims. (Cl. -124 This invention relates to improvements in devices for cleaning surfaces and is particularly directed to a novel wet mop.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a mo which includes a combined reservoir for a cleansing liquid, such as water admixed with a detergent, and a surface applicator such as a multicellular element, the reservoir including a wall that has outlet means for the liquid and the applicator being mounted on the wall so that the liquid flows through the applicator to the surface and returns to the reservoir by means of the applicator.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a handle for the mop and to provide means for pivo'tally attaching the reservoir to the handle so that it can be swung at least through an arc of 180 so as 'to position the applicator in contact with the surface and to position the applicator in a position out of contact and raised above the surface, in which latter position the applicator overlies the reservoir and can be squeezed to expel the water back into the reservoir.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide asqueezer element which is carried by the handle and is normally retained in a raised, inoperative position, but which can be manually moved into pressing "en a ement with the applicator to apply squeezing pressure thereto when the applicator is in its raised position, overlying the reservoir.

Another important object of this invention is to provide jarnop which includes a-hollow container for a ele'a'nsing liquid, a sponge applicator on one wall of the container and in fluid communication with the'inte'rior of the cont'ainer, a handle pivotally carrying the eontainer and a Presser or squeezer element pivotally carried by the handle and adapted to be manually rnoved from a normal raised position into pressing contact with the sponge applicator.

Generally stated, the present invention comprehends the provision of a hollow container, which has opposing walls, that may be termed upper and lower walls, and which is adapted to contain a supply of a suitable clean-sing liquid, preferably water having a detergent admixed therewith. -An applicator, such as a flat section of sponge rubber, is inounted over one of'the walls, such wall having outlet means for the liquid. The container-ispivotally attached, in off center fashion, to a handle so that 'itcan be swung, with the handle in a substantially vertical plane, about a horizontal axis to s'electively-dispose its upper or lower wall in contact with a surfacegsuch as a floor. In the one position, the applicator or 'inop element is in contact with the surface and the liquid will flow therethroug'h onto the surface and, by means of the handle, the container can be moved about to move the applicator over the surface. In the other position, the

opposite wall will be in contact with the surface and the applicator will be in an uppermost, horizontal position. In the latter position, a presser or squeezer element, which is pivotally attached to the handle and held in a raised position by spring means, will be depressed by the foot of a user into pressing contact with the applicator and force the liquid from the applicator back into the container.

Among the many advantages of the present'invention are the following:

(1) The entire cleaning and mopping'of a floor-sur- States Patent 2 face is carried out without bending or stooping over to squeeze the mop;

(2) The need for a mop bucket is eliminated;

(3 The person using the mop does not come into contact with the liquid or applicator;

(4-) The hands of the user only come into contact with the container twice, once when filling the container and once when emptying it;

(5) The weight of thecontairier and theliquid therein, although being slight, adds to the pressure needed to be exerted on the applicator to clean rough, dirty spots;

(6) The container and presser element are so interrelatedly designed that spillage of liquid, during the squeezing operation, is prevented;

(7.) A surface may be more easily, quickly and comfortably cleaned.

The foregoing and ancillary objects, including the provision of a simple, compact, attractive, efficient and inexpensive mop, are attained by this invention, the preferred form of which is set forth in the following description and illustrated in "the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is an exploded perspective view of a mop, constructed in accordance with the :principles of "this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view'offthe'mo'p;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the mop, shown in an inverted. position;

.Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view partially in section of one end of the container, showing the pivot structure and the construction of the liquid 'outlet and return means;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the mop taken along plane S S of Figure l with the'p'resser element shown in pressing contact with the applicator;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mop, and other elements taken along plane '6 6 of Fig. "5; and

Fig. 7 is a detailed vertical sectional view of the bottom wall taken along plane 7-7 of Figure 4 sh'owingthe air vent means for the container.

Referring 'now more particularly to the accompanying drawingth-e numeral 1t) generally designates the novel mop which includes a hollow container 12 that forms a reservoir for a "suitable cleansing liquid, 'such 'as water having a detergent admixed therewith. Ihe container is shown as a one piece body portion which is molded from a suitable material 'but it is to be understood that it may be fabricated of many sections in any suitable manner 'and of any suitable material. The container includes a flat wall 16, which may be termed an upper or top wall, since in the position of use of the mop it will beu'ppermost. The exterior of the wall 16 is formed with a plurality of transversely extending ribs 18, which provide a traction or gripping surface for the'wall. The container is substantially U shape or semicircular in plan form and the wall 1 6 is so configured. The container also includes vertical side walls 20 which are sloped upwardly and outwardly, i'n'the vertical sense, and are curved toward a front end wall 22. The front end wall is sloped upwardly and'outwardlyand a transverse 'rear end wall-24 is provided and is sloped forwardly andu'pwardly, substantially parallel in an oblique direction to the front wall.

A wall 26, which maybe termed a lower wall, is disposed above the wall 16 and is spaced vcrticailytherefrom and extends across the container. The wallio-i-s-for'med above what'rnay be called the lower free edges o f tli'e sid and'end walls. The side walls are provided, below the wall 26, with lateral, inwardly extending lugs28 and the front wall '22 is formed with a similar lug 23. The lugs extend inwardly and are preferably integral with the walls.

A substantially semi=circular surface applicator 30 is provided and is preferably in one piece and formed from a multi-cellular material, such as sponge rubber. The applicator constitutes the actual mop element and is of a size to complement the cross-sectional shape and size of the interior of the container. The mop element is shaped to fit within the walls and rest on the wall 26 and is of a thickness to normally protrude beyond the free edges of the side and end walls. To mount it in place sockets 32 are formed transversely in its sides and in its front minor end, the sockets receiving the lugs 28, as shown in Fig. 5. The mop element is mounted on the lugs and can be removed for cleaning and replacement purposes. It can also be used alone for general cleaning and other purposes.

The container is pivotally carried by a handle 34 and is pivoted oft center so that it will tend to swing downwardly, about the pivotal attachment and will bear against a floor under its own weight, plus the Weight of the fluid therein. The handle 34 has a lower fork end 36 and the ends of the arms thereof are pivoted to the outer ends of binge knuckles 38 which upstand from the upper end of the rear wall and are in a plane perpendicular to the top wall. An elongated hinge pin 41 extends through the fork ends and the knuckles to pivot the handle on the container, which can swing through an arc of greater than 180 so as to selectively position either the top or bottom walls of the container in floor engagement.

The container is provided with a clean-out opening 42 formed at one of its rear corners, the opening 42 being internally threaded to receive a filler plug 44, which is seated in the opening flush with the exterior of the container. The streamlined, smooth and unobstructed contour of the container enables it to be moved into corners, around posts and the like room obstructions. For such reason, the filler plug is seated so as not to protrude.

The cleaning opening 42 communicates with a trough 46 which, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, extends obliquely in a horizontal and vertical plane. The lower end of the trough is provided with a diverging port 48 that communicates with the interior of the container. The trough extends upwardly and is inclined forwardly from said port.

The wall 26 is formed with a semi-circular groove 56, which is formed by planar walls and is disposed adjacent to the side edges and front end of the wall and has its ends in communication through vertical slots 52, in the interior of the rear wall, with the trough 46. The wall 26 is formed, intermediate the sides of the groove 50 with a series of parallel grooves 54, which are rectangular in cross-section and have right angular, planar walls. The grooves 54 extend longitudinally and are communicated,

through vertical slots 56 at their rear ends, with the trough.

The wall 26 is formed, in one of the grooves, with a vertical oversized bore 58 in which an axially bored flush type head screw 60 is seated. The screw is held in place by a nut and serves as an air vent for the container, as shown in Fig. 7. 'When the device is in position for cleaning purposes, the head seats to prevent the liquid from escaping. During the filling operation, air Will pass by the head and shank of the screw and out through the castellation nut. The screw length is such that the screw can move axially, but not engage with the applicator or mop element.

In use, the sponge applicator or mop element 30 is secured in place over the wall 26 by mounting it on the lugs 28. The container is filled by pouring liquid, preferably water to which a detergent has been added, through the sponge applicator so that the liquid flows by way of the grooves and trough into the reservoir container.

In cleaning a surface, such as a floor, the container is swung around the pivot by holding the handle up and moving the container around the pivot to place the mop element flat on the floor. The container is then tilted to one side so that the water fiows through the port 48, through the trough 46 and into the grooves, from where it permeates and passes through the mop element or applicator onto the floor. The mop is then moved back and forth in the usual manner over the floor with the applicator, under the weight of the container and water, remaining therein, cleaning the floor.

Means are provided to enable the water on the floor to be picked up and includes a squeezer element 62 which is carried by the handle and is adapted to be moved into a compressing position on the applicator. The squeezer element 62 includes a semi-circular plate which has a semi-circular, perpendicularly related flange 64 on its underside and spaced inwardly from the edges thereof. The flange 64 is adapted to fit inside the walls of the container and the edges of the plate overlie the edges of the sponge applicator, normal to the walls of the container, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the water, when being squeezed from the sponge applicator, cannot spill out over the walls and flow back onto the floor. The plate is formed, on its underside, with a series of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending ribs 66 that define grooves 68 which overlie the grooves in the Wall 26 and provide with such grooves passageways for the return flow of the water to the trough.

The plate is formed at its fiat rear end edge with hinge knuckles 70 that pivotally interfit between the knuckles 38 and are pivoted on the hinge pin 40 so that the plate can be swung downwardly into compressing contact with the sponge applicator. The plate is normally retained in a raised inoperative position, shown in Fig. 1, by springs 72 which are attached to upstanding apertured ears 74 on the top of the plate and are secured by eye screws '76 to the upper or inner ends of the legs of the fork. The springs hold the squeezer element in a raised position from which it can be pressed, as by the foot of a user, down onto the sponge applicator. For this purpose, the top or outer surface of the plate is formed with ribs 18 that provide a roughened gripping surface.

When the surface has been mopped, the container is swung around the hinge pivot 4b to position the sponge applicator uppermost, the wall 16 resting on the floor, as shown in Fig. 5. In such position, the squeezer element is depressed, being swung about its pivot by the foot of a user, and is brought into pressing engagement with the sponge applicator. The Water therein is squeezed from the applicator and flows through the grooves, above and below it, into the trough and, through the port, back into the container. The container can then be swung back around to enable the sponge applicator to pick up any water remaining on the floor.

It can thus be seen that a simple, compact and efiicient wet mop is provided whereby the entire cleaning and mopping is accomplished without bending or stooping over to squeeze the mop; without touching the hands to the water, with relative case, due to the large absorption and working area of the sponge and the weight of the container and water acting on the mop element.

What is claimed is:

l. A mop comprising a hollow container defining a reservoir for a cleansing liquid and having opposing top and bottom walls, said container having outlet means for passage of the liquid from the reservoir through the bottom wall, an absorbent applicator, means detachably mounting the applicator over the bottom wall so that the liquid feeds into and through the applicator to a floor surface, a handle, means pivoting the container to the handle so that it can be swung about the handle to selectively position the applicator and the top wall in superimposed engagement with a floor surface, a squeezer element pivotably carried by the handle and positioned above the container and movable downwardly under manual pressure into pressing contact with the applicator, when the top wall is in contact with the floor surface, to press the liquid from the applicator back into the container, means normally holding said squeezer element in a position raised above the container, said squeezer element being pivotally attached to the handle on a common axis with the container and being adapted to be moved by a users foot downwardly into contact with the applicator and spring means connected between the handle and the squeezer element for normally retaining it in a raised position.

2. A mop comprising a hollow container defining a reservoir for a cleansing liquid and having opposing top and bottom walls, said container having outlet means for passage of the liquid from the reservoir through the bottom wall, an absorbent applicator, means detachably mounting the applicator over the bottom wall so that the liquid feeds into and through the applicator to a floor surface, a handle, means pivoting the container to the handle so that it can be swung about the handle to selectively position the applicator and the top wall in superimposed engagement with a floor surface, a squeezer element pivotably carried by the handle and positioned above the container and movable downwardly under manual pressure into pressing contact with the applicator, when the top wall is in contact with the floor surface, to press the liquid from the applicator back into the con tainer, means normally holding said squeezer element in a position raised above the container, said outlet means for the liquid including grooves formed in the exterior of the bottom wall and ports at one end of the grooves, and a trough provided on the container and extending vertically across one end thereof and communicating at its lower end with the interior of the container and having the ports opening thereinto.

3. A rnop comprising a hollow container defining a reservoir for a cleansing liquid and having opposing top and bottom walls, said container having outlet means for passage of the liquid from the reservoir through the bottom wall, an absorbent applicator, means detachably mounting the applicator over the bottom wall so that the liquid feeds into and through the applicator to a floor surface, a handle, means pivoting the container to the handle so that it can be swung about the handle to selectively position the applicator and the top wall in superimposed engagement with a floor surface, a squeezer element pivotably carried by the handle and positioned above the container and movable downwardly under manual pressure into pressing contact with the applicator, when the top wall is in contact with the floor surface, to press the liquid from the applicator back into the container, means normally holding said squeezer element in a position raised above the container, said squeezer element fitting Within the container when in pressing con-' tact with the applicator and means provided in the side of the squeezer element that contacts the applicator and in the exterior of the bottom wall for permitting the flow of liquid toward one end of the container, said end having ports which communicate with the interior of the container and define the outlet means.

4. A mop comprising a hollow container defining a reservoir for a cleansing liquid and having opposing top and bottom walls, said container having outlet means for passage of the liquid from the reservoir through the bottom wall, an absorbent applicator, means detachably mounting the applicator over the bottom wall so that the liquid feeds into and through the applicator to a floor surface, a handle, means pivoting the container to the handle so that it can be swung about the handle to selectively position the applicator and the top Wall in superimposed engagement with a floor surface, a squeezer element pivotably carried by the handle and positioned above the container and movable downwardly under manual pressure into pressing contact with the applicator, when the top wall is in contact with the floor surface, to press the liquid from the applicator back into the container, means normally holding said squeezer element in a position raised above the container, and means provided on the squeezer element and container for preventing seepage and spillage of the liquid exteriorly of the con- 6 tainer when the squeezer element is in pressing engagement with the applicator.

5. A floor cleansing or treating device comprising a hollow container defining a reservoir for a liquid and having opposing top and bottom walls, said container having outlet means for the passage of the liquid from the container through the bottom wall, an absorbent applicator dimensioned complemental to the bottom wall and superimposed thereon, complementary means on said bottom wall and the applicator for releasably securing the applicator on the bottom wall, a handle, means pivotally mounting the container on the handle so that the container can be swung about thehandle on a horizontal axis to selectively position the applicator and the top wall in contact with a floor surface, a squeezer element pivotally mounted on the handle and positioned above the container and movable downwardly by a users foot into squeezing contact with the applicator when the top wall is in contact with the floor surface so as to press the liquid from the applicator back into the reservoir, said squeezer element being of a shape complemental to the applicator and spring means connected between the handle and the wringer for normally retaining the applicator in a position substantially paralleling the handle.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bottom wall has an upstanding peripheral flange within which the applicator is positioned and said squeezer element includes a body portion adapted to fit within the flange to compress the applicator and a lateral ledge portion adapted to seat on the flange during the compressing of the applicator to prevent spillage of the liquid when the applicator is being compressed.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said top Wall has a roughened gripping surface so as to prevent movement of the container when the squeezer element is being pressed against the applicator.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bottom wall of the container has an end provided with spaced squeezer element are pivoted on a common axis.

9. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said squeezer element has a body portion provided with a ribbed wall that contacts the applicator and said bottom wall of the container is formed with grooves for the flow of the liquid as the applicator is compressed by the squeezer element, said grooves having openings at one of their ends and a trough underlying the openings and communicating with the interior of the container.

10. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said handle has a fork end pivoted at its outer extremities to the con tainer and the squeezer element and said spring means includes coiled springs connected between the fork end and the squeezer element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,060 De Laney May 12', 1896 956,105 Knickerbocker Apr. 26, 1910 1,127,244 Helstrom Feb. 2, 1915 1,389,743 Croner Sept. 6, 1921 1,502,148 Magaton July 22, 1924 2,153,601 Vaughn Apr. 11, 1939 2,614,556 Staunt Oct. 21, 1952 2,624,899 Smith Jan. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,515/31 Australia Dec. 28, 1932 24,507 Great Britain of 1913 298,085 Switzerland July 1, 1954 

